Legislators are inching closer to plugging a $1 billion budget hole as optimism has spread through the Capitol that a big infusion of federal cash could spare the state from the most painful cuts -- at least for now.

In a party-line vote Thursday, the DFL-controlled Senate Taxes Committee approved about $313 million in cuts, but so far spared trims to K-12 education and health and human services. The committee passed about $105 million in cuts in aid to counties and local governments, less than half of what Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed. The rest came in reductions to areas such as higher education, the environment, public safety and state government.

The full Senate is expected to vote on the cuts on Monday, the same day the House will consider its budget reductions. A conference committee will resolve the differences.

While Pawlenty presented his entire budget-balancing plan in February, a proposal that consisted mostly of cuts, as well as some anticipated federal money, DFL legislative leaders have said they want to break up the reductions in three chunks because of the magnitude of the deficit and the potential for federal money.

"There's no point in passing a huge reduction bill if, at the end of the day, we get some federal money that would have back-filled some of the cuts," said Senate Taxes Committee Chairman Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook.

Pawlenty and legislative Republicans have not embraced the piecemeal approach.

"We need to see the budget in its entirety," said Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester. "Until we see their budget in its entirety, we are not going to agree to participate in this solution."

A spokesman for Pawlenty, who is not running for reelection, said the DFL plan is more about political strategy than sound budgeting.

"It seems this approach is intended to conceal their real plans," said Brian McClung, the governor's deputy chief of staff. "It's getting quite predictable and ridiculous and the people of Minnesota deserve to see the DFL's complete budget proposal -- warts, tax increases and all -- now instead of in the 11th hour."

Lawmakers and the governor are waiting to see if Congress and President Obama approve an extension of a small portion of the federal stimulus bill that could send about $408 million in one-time money to help balance the budget.

At the same time, DFL legislators are hopeful the federal health care overhaul awaiting a vote in Congress could result in an additional $250 million in ongoing federal aid for Minnesota.

If all the federal money comes through, lawmakers might not have to cut too much beyond this first round of cuts. They have not yet considered cuts to health and human services and K-12 education. But the one-time money from the federal government means more budget trouble will likely await lawmakers and the new governor next year.

Baird Helgeson • 651-222-1288